Marine Biodiversity in Temperate Western Australia: Multi-Taxon Surveys of Minden and Roe Reefs

Zoe T Richards ,Monika Bryce,Glad Hansen,Lee Betterridge,Clay Bryce,Lisa Kirkendale,Hugh Morrison,Jane Fromont,Mark Salotti,Shirley Slack-Smith,Courtney Wood,Oliver Gomez,Jenelle Ritchie,Loisette Marsh,Ana Hara,Corey Whisson,Nerida G Wilson ,Sue Morrison ,Glenn I Moore ,John M Huisman ,Mark B Allen ,Andrew M Hosie

doi:10.3390/d8020007

Zoe T Richards , Monika Bryce + Show 20 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/d8020007

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Abstract

A growing body of evidence indicates that temperate marine ecosystems are being tropicalised due to the poleward extension of tropical species. Such climate mediated changes in species distribution patterns have the potential to profoundly alter temperate communities, as this advance can serve to push temperate taxa, many of which are southern Australian endemics, southward. These changes can lead to cascading effects for the biodiversity and function of coastal ecosystems, including contraction of ranges/habitats of sensitive cool water species. Hence there is growing concern for the future of Australia’s temperate marine biodiversity. Here we examine the diversity and abundance of marine flora and fauna at two reefs near Perth’s metropolitan area—Minden Reef and Roe Reef. We report the presence of 427 species of marine flora and fauna from eight taxon groups occurring in the Perth metropolitan area; at least three species of which appear to be new to science. Our data also extends the known range of 15 species, and in numerous instances, thousands of kilometres south from the Kimberley or Pilbara and verifies that tropicalisation of reef communities in the Perth metropolitan area is occurring. We report the presence of 24 species endemic to south-west Australia that may be at risk of range contractions with continued ocean warming. The results of these surveys add to our knowledge of local nearshore marine environments in the Perth metropolitan area and support the growing body of evidence that indicates a diverse and regionally significant marine fauna occurs in temperate Western Australia. Regular, repeated survey work across seasons is important in order to thoroughly document the status of marine biodiversity in this significant transition zone.

Highlights

The Earth’s climate is changing and observed climate changes are causing a wide array of impacts [1]
A total of 427 species were recorded from Minden and reef is protected (Roe) Reefs (Table 1 and Table S1)
A total of 287 species were recorded at Roe Reef, 207 of which were at Site 1 and 203 at Site 2

Summary

Introduction

The Earth’s climate is changing and observed climate changes are causing a wide array of impacts [1]. The south-west region of Western Australia (WA) is part of the southern temperate faunal province, a region extending across the entire southern coast of Australia and into southern New South Wales, and includes Tasmania and New Zealand [17]. This region has high levels of endemism estimated to be between 75% [18] and 95% [19,20] for molluscs. These high endemic percentages are reflected across the entire southern Australian province in many other marine groups including fishes (85%); echinoderms (31%), sponges (56%) and macroalgae (50%) [21,22]

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Discussion

Conclusion